Taxi Union RMT on High Court Ruling on Need for Statutory Definition of Plying for Hire

Taxi union RMT said today that while it notes the decision of the High Court on whether the Uber app involves the use of a taxi meter, this was always a peripheral issue as the focus of RMT’s campaign has been and remains the need for a statutory definition of who can and what precisely is “plying for hire”.

TAXI UNION RMT has called on Transport for London to implement measures set out in response to a consultation on Private Hire Vehicles which would tighten controls on apps like Uber and help protect the future of the licensed taxi trade in the Capital and the safety of the travelling public.

Transport for London has today outlined the measures which it could take to limit the operation of smartphone apps (such as Uber) in the immediate hire market.

The Private Hire Regulations Review, which closed on 19 June, received over 4,000 responses.

When asked if the Mayor acknowledged previous comments he had made that traffic congestion in the capital can be attributed to the high volume of Private Hire vehicles 'roaming streets looking for fares', he agreed.

TAXI UNION RMT has today written to the Government to demand an end to the chaotic mismanagement of driver licensing which the union says is putting members livelihoods at risk at a time when the trade is coming under unprecedented pressure and attacks.

A licence to operate a taxi is issued by the driver’s local authority. As part of being licensed, taxi drivers are required to have their good character verified via an enhanced criminal records check.

The Law Commission is currently reviewing all legislation relating to taxi and private hire vehicles. Whilst this review, which officials claim is designed to simplify the legislation, could potentially deregulate the industry and as such is a threat to members’ livelihoods, it also presents us with a number of opportunities.

The interim statement of the Law Commission does not commit to legally defining plying for hire, however, it does acknowledge that a two-tier system must remain in place.